Crossing-gate apparatus



A. FICK ET AL CROSSING GATE APPARATUS Filed May '7, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 gnumflons Adolph Fink i. Fl h. Fit?! I A. FICK El AL CROSSING GATE APPARATUS Filed lay '7. 1924 SSheets-Shaet 2 h Fig: p11 Fink.

' my mm Oct- 27,1925- 38 A. FlCK El" AL CROSSING GATE APPARATUS Filed lay '7, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .5. .51. E%Zg..l.l:|.

A 'L'ph Fig? ulph F'LEK Patented Oct. 27; 1925.

UNITED STATES ADOLPH FICK AND RUDOLPH FICK, 0F BOONE, IOWA.

CROSSING-GATE APPARATUS.

Application filed May 7,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, AnoLrrr F101; and RUDOLPH FroK, citizens of the United States, residing at Boone, in the county of Boone and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Crossing- (lrate Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in grade crossing gates.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a safety system for use at grade crossings, such as the intersection of a railway with a highway, embodying an improved gate operating apparatus which will necessitate the stopping of vehicles and other traflic traveling on the highway upon approaching the grade crossing.

A further object of this invention is the provision of anovel type of safety gate construction and operating. mechanism embodying means by which the crossing gates will be operated by vehicles and other tratlic traveling along the highway.

A further object of this invention is the provision of safety apparatus for use at grade crossings including normally closed gates and an operating mechanism therefor adapted to be operated by vehicles and other trafiic traveling along the highways. so that tralfic of necessity has to come to a stop upon approaching, the grade crossing, the gate operating means being controlled according to the condition of the railway tratfic adjacent the grade crossing.

A further object of this invention is the provision of crossing gates for use at grade crossings upon opposite sides of the railway bed which crosses a highway, and infit) cluding a novel electrical operating means controlled by a three way circuit maker and breaker system which includes switches adapted to be operated by vehicles traveling along the highway; the railwaybed embodying a novel circuit maker and breaker arrangement operable by trains passing along the railway, so that. upon approach of a train the gate operating circuit may be rendered inoperative.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein simlar reference characte s designate corre- 1924. Serial No. 711,686.

sponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a grade crossing, showing diagrammatically the improved safety apparatus and the wiring systems for control thereof.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a platform which is positioned in the highway adjacent the grade crossing and over which vehicle traftic must of necessity pass as it approaches the grade crossing.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken through the platform construction illustrated in Figure 2, substantially on the line 3 of Figure 2.

Figs. eland 5 are cross sectional views taken substantially on their respective lines in Figure 3 of the drawings.

Fig. (3 is a cross sectional view taken through a supporting (let ail of the in'iproved platform.

Fig. 7 a cross sectional View taken through a portion of the improved platform, showing certain circuit controlling switch means adapted to be operated by movement of said platform.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken through the crossing gate housing operat ing details thereof.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view through the gate housing, on the line 99 of Figure 8.

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional View taken on the line 1()10 of Figure 8, showing gate controlling mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view showing.

novel circuit controlling details for the operating mechanism of the crossing gate.

Figs. 12 and 13 are cross sectional views taken through certain details of the circuit control arrangement illustrated in Fig. l 1.

.Figure H- is a side elevation of the gate structure with the gate closed.

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the gate rection of approachingtrafllc.

or arm swings upward the red lens 29 will grade crossin which consists of the intersection of a highway B with a. railway bed C. The safety apparatus A preferably comprises gates D and D" located in ximity to the highwa Bat opposite his: the railroad bed Motors E and E are respectively provided as a part of tho-operating mechanism for the gates D and D. A circuit F is provided for the motors E and E, which includes a battery G, and a three way circuit maker and breaker circuit H. Circuit maker and breaker means K operable when a train passes al the railroad bed C is provided in connectlon with each set of rails of the railroad C.

The gate structures D and D are altogether similar, and as illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 of the drawings the same are of the vertical swingi t pe, being pivotall mounted, as by a s a- 20, upon suitab standards 21 which may be encased in a housing 22 similar to the ordinary te housing now found in use. A counter alanc'ing weight 23 is preferably carried by shaft 20 including a screw threaded shank 23" located exteriorly of the housing 22, adapted to adjustaibly receive a ball 23", in order to facilitate the easy opening or closin-of the gate or D.

' ach of the gate 1mm adjacent its pivotal end is provided with an offset 24 so'that arm is tan entially pivoted with respect to the shaft G'onomtrically ari with the shaft 20 is a seriesof lenses 28, and 321 The housingl 22 preferably supports a bracket 35 whic is adapted, to detaehably su a lamp 35 thereon hav ing a lens facing in the direction of the lenses 28, 29 and 32 of the gate arm. The lenses 28, 29 and 82* are so arranged with res t to the lamp lens that when the gate is c used or horizontally arranged, the red lens 28 will have the rays of light from the lamp 35 emanating therethrough in the di- As the gate come into alignment with the lens of the lamp 35, so that the ra s oflight' will show red in direction 0 approaching trafiec. The green lens 32 which: aligns with the lens of the lhmp 35 when the gate or arm is vertically positioned or open, as is illustwted in Figure 15 of the drawings, indicates to approaching traflic that the way is clear. The arm intermediate its ends may carry a relatively large disc 43 as a means of better indicating the presence of the gate. While the pwtem'ed'tion of the gate lenses-and lamp halve a. shown, other locations for the lamp: may be selected, de-

pending ugomthl of the housngdlarre i In donnectim with operation ofthegate its motor E or E", as the case may be, is mitebly mourned within the housing 22 Chisinau-m 5 upon any bracket structure 24 which may be connected to one of a pan-q! italtdaids 21*. The drive shaft 25 of the motor re'ferably has a pinion 26 keyed thereto, w ich is in; meshi relation withlarge gear 27 keyed w w to a s aft 27' which bears in standards is 21. A pinion 27 also keyed on shaft 275 meshes with a large gear 27 keyed on the gate shaft 26. Thus, the proper r ratio may be obtained for lifting, ate I means of breaking the chcu t thmugli motor E when the 'gateqrann D has been elevated to clear the ay, a H maker andbreaker const on isplh'cedi the circuit adjacent the motor E-or E ,fi the case may be, which includes a it spaced contacts wandshearriedini 1i relation by one of the standards 21 ot'tha arm construction D, and'an insulation disc 33 carried for. rotation b pivot shaft'20 of the gate arm D, an 'upon which diactld a meta conducting plate fi'is. aflixe'd, for coo the circuit bri gebetweeht e spec oontwctsmand 31. The a tion of a semaphore or? t, he i t rm s Pmi l v m3 at ence the Moon "gf ate 34 should "w gs. only bridgethe circuit ween the m tacts 30 and 81 through this 90 movement, t a. 1, or less than such movement. As the mouth-mi i E is operating 'to elevate the ten: am: 7 D the disc 33 will rotalewi thepivot shaft 20 and the plate 34 slide eta-the contacts 30 and 31. Wh'ofthe -'is almost vertical the plate 34; rides-outdo gagement with the contacts and Hand Y "L thus breaks the circuit. through-the motor a E and sthe same, To reveht or arm from immediate electromagnet 86 is Fprovided laoedi in the circuit bye" shunt cirtmit 7. In thebhunt circuit}? is disposedka circuit "linker and brealserihonstruc'tiuu which coiih'ols the operation a! the electrb m t 3,6 and which maker in! br r 'bn includes the r '39 and seal-s1 hri plate *whieh carried by an insulation disc iligtheifltmbeing Heyedto thepi r shaft of -ffthqto:'"'l'l'reelectrl'gilinghell 36 is a! onerg' zedduring tien of its" E or a's'tho be, but "Qt' rcuit throughits w broken t npfatWlO carried ."j the ii! the Anal'l'n 1.; an s iafl i hin m r 1" r a t an armature M for the eleetmmagnet 80; The arm m en-the t a "Si k i P thereon is preferably rovided with a detent 94 pivoted thereon, w iich is normally urged by a spring 95 against a pin 96 supported upon the arm 90. The detent 94 at the outer end thereof may be provided with a tooth or a recess, as desired, which is adapted to mesh between the teeth of a gear 97 which may be keyed upon the motor shaft 25. Upon energization of the electromagnet 36, which will only happen when the signal arm is raised, the detent 94 will be moved to engage the motor gear 97 to hold the motor gear fixed, and as is apparent the gate will be held in its Vertical position so long as the electromagnet is active. It is apparent that so long as the electromagnet is active, the detent will swing to engage the pin 96 incident to tendency of the weight of the gate to reverse the motor shaft. \Vheu the electromagnet 36 is cut out of the circuit 37 the weight of the gate will swing the gear 97 so that the arm 90 will be moved out of obstructing relation with the gear 97, and the gate may fall to a closed position. A stop 98 may be provided for limiting the amplitude of movement of the arm 90 away from the electromagnet 36.

In the open position of the gate the weight of the gate is just slightly overbalanced at one side of the pivot shaft 21, so that when the magnet 36 is deenergized the gate will fall by gravity to a closed position. It is of course understood that the discs 3?) and 41 and the contacts respectively associated therewith provide a circuit control arrangement and these discs are always (lisposed in a definite relation so that when the motor circuit is cut off the shunt circuit of the electromagnet will be closed. or vice versa.

Referring to certain novel features of the highway B, the same at the approach to the railroad bed or right of way C is narrowed. as at 45. and a short distance from the gates l) and D platform constructions M and M are respectively placed, and over which vehicles or other tratlic must pass prior to entering the grade crossing. Preferably a short distance from the platform structures, and of course remote from the grade cross ing. warning signs 47 may be placed. preferably upon a foundation 48 in the middle of the highway. serving as an indication to traffic that they are about to cross a railroad line. This warning sign 47 may have any suit-able warning or instructing indi'cia thereon. substantially as is illustrated in Figure 16 of the drawings.

The platform structures M and M are of course similar, and but one will be described. It consists of a cementitious foundation 50, which includes the side walls 51, and a bottom 52; the top edges 54 of the side walls 51 being disposed flush with the top surface of the high ay or ro way 7 to provide a compartment 55 within which details of the platform are located. Foundation piers 56 are provided in the compartment upon the bottom 52 of the foundation structure 50 which supports thereon the substantially E-shaped guide members 58 provided as a means of limiting the upward and downward movement of the platform. The platform proper consists of the longitudinally extending side beams 60, which may be of the conventional I-shaped structure. and which are tied together by cross strips 61, and support thereon the transverse planks 62 to provide the platform; the top surfaces of the planks 62, when the platform proper is normally positioned, being disposed fiush with the top surface of the highway B. The I beams 60 are resiliently supported upon the piers 56, as by strong spiral supporting springs 64; the piers 56 having upwardly extending conduit projections 65 receiving thercover the spring 64 to properly position the same upon the pier, and the I beams 69 detachably carrying the depending cylindrical shaped members 65* in detachable screw threaded engagement adapted to be disposed within the spring 64 to properly position the spring with respect to the I beam and with respect to the projection upon the pier 56, substantially after the manner illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings. The facing edges of the projections 65 and 65 are, of course, spaced for a considerable distance; this distance defining the movement which the platform has when a vehicle rides thereover to depress the same. The laterally extending flange 67 of each I beam 60 plays an important part in limiting the upward and downard amplitude of movement of the platform proper; this flange 67 being adapted to play in the space between the upper and intermediate flanges 69 and 70 of the ln'aeliet or guide members 58. substantially as illustrated in the drawings. The springs 64 are, of course. norma ly under compression and urge the I-beams upward until the flanges 67 thereof engage the top flanges 69 of the guide members so that the top surface of the platform proper is positioned flush with the top surface of the highway B. ()n a pier 79 positioned in the compartnwnt a switch 71 is positioned, which. is a three way switch adapted for operation in the three way circuit H as will be subsequently described this switch 71. including an operating plunger or plungers 72 adapted to be moved by engagement therewith of a proje tion 73 when the platform is depressed.

Referring to the three way wiring circuit H. the same includes the lines 75 and 76 which extend across the railroad line C and at each end provide the spaced contacts 77 and 78 as part of each of the switch structures 71. Each switch structure 71, of

course, includes the movable switch arm 79 for cooperation with its respective contacts 771ml 78, as a means of closing the circuit or opening the same ineither of the lines 7 5 and 76 of the circuit H, in accordance with well known principles of three way circuit wiring systems.

The railroad bed C may of course include any number of tracks. In connection with each set of rails in the road bed C, a circuit is provided, which includes a battery or other energizer '80, and in which circuit is disposed a rela 81. The rails in; which thebattery wami its respective relay 81 is disposed me be insuinted, as at 82 from the rails willc align therewith, at asuitmble distance from the grade crossing, so thin: the cirehit ill-the tmekreils will be confined to a reuomble distance on each side of" the grade g. Belay 81 is grefe'rebl'y placed at one end of the ein'cuit' rming' track section while the battery is placed at the other end, so thet when w truck 84 of a car over the of the track it will short circuit the battery 80 and eeuse the spring. o' in "nature 84 or the relay 81 to move away frbi'n "the electromagnet part of the relay. This relay armature 84 forms a pint of the gate eperatin circuit F, and when the rela is short circui U the arm 84' moves to bre the circuit F, and renders the semeinoperatire. it'eferting to the operation of the imsafety apparatus, the road B has n nnrrowed at 45 ml each side oelthe grade crossing; to make the same adaptable for one way tro'fiic only. Assuming a vehicle is a proechin the platform M, the occupants t ereof wil be warmed by means of the sign 47' o-ithe grade crossing which they are approaching. The vehicle will of course approach the grade crossing at low speed, and as the position of the gates or arms D and D is the closedposition, the vehicle will come to stop 1mmedietely ever the platform M. It is to be noted in connection "with the Posififllling ml the platform M that the highway in w ich it is positioned is narrowed at the point of the poeitionin of the platform so that some portion 0' the vehicle must pass thencover t depress the som below the normal position of the senle'ynnd to thus operate the three way switch 71. If the tracks of theruih'oed' C are clear, depressien of the platform M will close the threeway'switch andthbow the arm 79 thereof for closing f the circuit F in t/hei'notore E and E", o rating the same, so that the gates D an D be elevated. When the Dsnd D have beeneleveted to the i the oircuiw'are cut of as mentinnedthe electro-m'egnets 86 are inter-- ed in holding the gates D end D" open,

that theweh'rele iney'pase enemas the road C. )ls'the vehiolerides ever theplet} form M the three way switch 71? thereof wil'lbe operated m break the-circuit F, d? energizing the m ets 36 and permit the gates D and to fall into"; position. Should a train ng other railhupi unit be aseing over a trick e! the C the ey'SI for the particular oirmit that track will be deencrgined by the circui o'fthe same, eo'tM the 84 of that relay 81 win move to H circuit F, and notwithstandiugthe M a vehicle traveling aIOHgflhERIDQflB' passed upon the plntf the gem n and D will not be 'elsveted fllt'rljthe truth! are clear. The safety" systeq oh r iomiy'dim templates 0' one improved 'sefety gate is merily adopted for use ingcouitry'distrl Q an]? vlvhere it becoges it lflrtllslline t. veicesto pest grade em g a-gm D and D ey be held'in'ele'ntedphsztien manually until the vehiohmkbvwpmd. While in Figure 16 the ihdieilsu post has been shown as. embfbdd mmlmcrete, such construction is not rocks can be piled about them to vehicles from running dflo the some, Another feature of cone w hich wy. be provided, is that of piecing whitefem li ing or necks-slung the margin of the where qtht ssmewidens around the winging i 4 I r f u 1% rom the foregoing do'scription of this ine vention it is apparent that a sale apparatus and system for c has been provided which is automatic!!! operation and which will' efeut a safeguard for trafic trave avor the high way, in no sense being ndent the whim of the indivi al lighting traveler. A

Various changes in the ShIPQ, sine, ad arrangement of parts m8} made to the form of invention herein shown and scribed, without depurting In spirit or thescopeof this invent ons '3 We claim:

1. In '5; sefietysyetem'foi railway end hi hway crossings thwcombinetioimta gate, ai-eigenit, a motor fior "said "circuit; means conne'etingthe motowhi the operavtien'of the same, and circuit-helmet anilbrefikermeens for said circuit opetited by trains over thernilwny maintain hl motor circuit inoperative whgn at 'is running o genorapp sai i ade crossing. 2. jety a ivgzietus mhighway and riil-- wa'ygmde e t time u gmimi e8 t ee way, not!!! in: :o circuit tier said motors mim circuit maker and breaker switches 10253 in the highway for Want? lppiflltha mg vehicles, and circuit maker and breaker means for rendering the motor circuits inoperative when railroad trafiic is approaching the grade crossing.

In a safety system for grade crossings, the combination of a gate, a motor for operating the gate, a circuit for said motor in eluding a battery, circuit maker and breaker switches located in the highway for controlling said circuit, said circuit maker and breaker switches adapted to be operated by vehicles travelin over the highway, and circuit makers an breakers in said first mentioned circuit operable by trains on the railroad approaching said grade crossings to render the first mentionedcircuit inoperative.

4. Grade crossing safety apparatus comprising gate means normally closed across th highway in advance of the grade crossing, motor means for operating said gate means, a circuit for said motor means, a

movable platform located in the highway over which a vehicle traveling along the highway must pass, switch means operably associated with the platform for controlling the motor circuit, and circuit maker and breaker means for the motor circuit operable to open the motor circuit upon the passing of a train over the railroad portion of said grade crossing.

5. In a safety construction for railroad and highway crossings the combination of gates for the highway at each side of the railroad, motors for operating said gates, said gates being of such nature as to close when their motors are inoperative, a three way circuit for the motors of said gates including three way switches located in the highway at opposite sides of the railroad and in advance of the gates of the highway, platforms in the highway over which the vehiele traffic must pass to operate said three way switches for controlling said motors, a relay, circuit means placing the relay in connection with the rails of the railroad track, a battery for the relay circuit so located with respect to the relay that when a train passes over the tracks the relay current will be short eircuited, said relay including an armature normally acting as a circuit maker and breaker for the gate motor circuits and adapted to render the gate motor circuit inoperative when the relay is short circuited.

G. In a safety system for railway and highway grade cros ngs the con'ibination of a gate for controlling vehicular trallic across the grade crossing, an electric circuit, a gate operating motor for said circuit, means operated by vehicular traflic on the highway for closing said circuit to operate the motor, and circuit maker and breaker means associated with the railway of the grade crossing operable by trains running over the railway to also control said circuits.

7. In a safety system for railway and highway grade crossings the combination of a gate normally adapted to assume a closed position across the highway to prevent ti vel of vehicular traihc across the grade crossing, an electric circuit, a motor for said circuit, means connecting the motor with said gate for operating the latter, means adapted to be operated by travel of vehicular trafiic over the highway to close said circuit for operating the motor and elevating the gate, and circuit maker and breaker means for said circuitof the motor operable by trains running over the railway bed in the vicinity of the grade crossing to maintain said motor circuit inoperative.

ADOLPH FICK. RUDOLPH FICK. 

